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PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Ben Gamel and Chase De Jong have spent five-plus years bouncing around the major leagues in search of a home.
Maybe they'll stick in Pittsburgh. Maybe they won't. They've been around long enough to know it's unwise to take anything for granted. Better to live in the moment, particularly the ones the journeymen enjoyed during an 11-1 victory over Atlanta on Monday.
Gamel hit two homers and drove in six runs while De Jong (1-3) navigated a rocky first inning to pick up his first victory in nearly three years. Not bad for a couple of guys who have played for a combined nine teams since 2016.
"My boy was in the stands, my wife was in the stands," Gamel said. "It was a really special night."
De Jong and Gamel were teammates in Seattle in 2017. They've moved around plenty before reuniting on a rebuilding team in which they are likely merely placeholders. They've learned that it's simply part of the business, which made their respective performances a little bit sweeter.
"Guys in our position that have been with multiple teams, to be that grinder guy that bounces around, for (Gamel) to have a night like that is great," De Jong said of Gamel.
Gamel took Max Fried (5-5) over the fence in center field for a two-run home run in the fourth, doubled home Bryan Reynolds in the sixth and added a three-run shot in the seventh as the Pirates won their second straight following a six-game losing streak.
Pittsburgh's 11 runs tied a season-high and were one more than the club managed (10) while going 1-6 last week.
"I don't think we missed our pitches tonight," Gamel said. "I think the scoreboard reflects that."
De Jong (1-3) survived a 36-pitch first inning to pick up his second major league win. De Jong struck out four and walked three to notch his first win since beating the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 28, 2018, while playing for Minnesota.
Having an offense that has struggled mightily in recent weeks helped. Each of the top six hitters in the lineup had at least two hits, with Gamel finishing with three. The well-traveled 29-year-old is hitting .312 (29 for 93) in his last 27 starts.